Happiness fact 16: the 10% happiest have a rich and fulfilling social life

Marshall Brain took an unselected sample of 222 college students and measured happiness rigorously by using six different scales, then focused on the happiest 10:.

These “very happy” people differ markedly from average people and from unhappy people in one principle way: a rich and fulfilling social life.

The very happy people spent the least time alone (and the most time socializing), and they were rated highest on good relationships by themselves and by their friends.
All 22 members of the very happy group, except one, reported a current romantic partner.